Keep it Simple

My elderly father lives alone in a small apartment and receives care by an agency because he is bed-bound. There isn’t much room to visit, but our family wants him to feel a part of us on Christmas as this may be his last one. Any suggestions?

It certainly makes sense that you’d like him to feel a part of the family, especially this year. There are plenty of ideas, and consulting with others in the family may open up the flood-gate for more, but here are just a few:

• Since Christmas is just a week away, you can begin visiting him now, with just a few of you at a time showing up so he is not overwhelmed, and the limited space doesn’t become claustrophobic;
• You can all make a video of the entire family to present to him on Christmas, then visit in small groups, or one-by-one, later; or
• You can ask the care-giving agency if you can bring his caregiver with you (depending on his needs and yours), then take your father to the Christmas gathering.
• Making your father feel a part of the group may take some planning and effort, but it will well worth it, especially if this Christmas may be his final one.

  Surrounding him with loved ones is what the season is all about.